1Co 1:1-31.
THE
INSCRIPTION;
THANKSGIVING FOR THE
SPIRITUAL
STATE OF THE
CORINTHIAN
CHURCH;
REPROOF OF
PARTY
DIVISIONS:
HIS
OWN
METHOD OF
PREACHING
ONLY
CHRIST.

1. called to be--Found in some, not in others, of the oldest
manuscripts Possibly inserted from
Ro 1:1;
but as likely to be genuine. Translate, literally, "a called apostle"
[CONYBEARE and HOWSON].
through the will of God--not because of my own merit. Thus Paul's
call as "an apostle by the will of God," while constituting the ground
of the authority he claims in the Corinthian Church (compare
Ga 1:1),
is a reason for humility on his own part
(1Co 15:8, 10)
[BENGEL]. In assuming the ministerial office a man
should see he does so not of his own impulse, but by the will of God
(Jer 23:21);
Paul if left to his own will would never have been an apostle
(Ro 9:16).
Sosthenes--See my
Introduction.
Associated by Paul with himself in the inscription, either in modesty,
Sosthenes being his inferior [CHRYSOSTOM], or in
order that the name of a "brother" of note in Corinth
(Ac 18:17)
might give weight to his Epistle and might show, in opposition to his
detractors that he was supported by leading brethren. Gallio had
driven the Jews who accused Paul from the judgment-seat. The Greek mob,
who disliked Jews, took the opportunity then of beating Sosthenes the
ruler of the Jewish synagogue, while Gallio looked on and refused to
interfere, being secretly pleased that the mob should second his own
contempt for the Jews. Paul probably at this time had showed sympathy
for an adversary in distress, which issued in the conversion of the
latter. So Crispus also, the previous chief ruler of the synagogue had
been converted. Saul the persecutor turned into Paul the apostle, and
Sosthenes the leader in persecution against that apostle, were two
trophies of divine grace that, side by side, would appeal with double
power to the Church at Corinth [BIRKS].

2. the church of God--He calls it so notwithstanding its many blots.
Fanatics and sectaries vainly think to anticipate the final sifting of
the wheat and tares
(Mt 13:27-30).
It is a dangerous temptation to think there is no church where there is
not apparent perfect purity. He who thinks so, must at last separate
from all others and think himself the only holy man in the world, or
establish a peculiar sect with a few hypocrites. It was enough for Paul
in recognizing the Corinthians as a church, that he saw among them
evangelical doctrine, baptism, and the Lord's Supper" [CALVIN]. It was the Church of God, not of this or of that
favorite leader [CHRYSOSTOM].
at Corinth--a church at dissolute Corinth--what a paradox of grace!
sanctified--consecrated, or set apart as holy to God in (by
union with) Christ Jesus. In the Greek there are no words "to
them that are"; translate simply, "men sanctified."
called to be saints--rather, "called saints"; saints by calling:
applied by Paul to all professing members of the Church. As
"sanctified in Christ" implies the fountain sources of holiness, the
believer's original sanctification in Christ
(1Co 6:11;
Heb 10:10, 14;
1Pe 1:2)
in the purposes of God's grace, so "called saints" refers to their
actual call
(Ro 8:30),
and the end of that call that they should be holy
(1Pe 1:15).
with all that in every place call upon . . . Christ--The Epistle is
intended for these also, as well as for the Corinthians. The true
CATHOLIC
CHURCH (a term first used by IGNATIUS
[Epistle to the Smyræans, 8]): not consisting of those who call
themselves from Paul, Cephas, or any other eminent leader
(1Co 1:12),
but of all, wherever they be, who call on Jesus as their Saviour in
sincerity (compare
2Ti 2:22).
Still a general unity of discipline and doctrine in the several
churches is implied in
1Co 4:17; 7:17; 11-16; 14-33, 36.
The worship due to God is here attributed to Jesus (compare
Joe 2:32;
Mt 4:10;
Ac 9:14).
both theirs and ours--"in every place which is their home
. . . and our home also"; this is added to include the
Christians throughout Achaia, not residing in Corinth, the capital
(2Co 1:1).
Paul feels the home of his converts to be also his own. Compare a
similar phrase in
Ro 16:13
[CONYBEARE and HOWSON].
"Ours" refers to Paul and Sosthenes, and the Corinthians' home [ALFORD]. BEZA better explains,
"Both their Lord and our Lord." All believers have one and the same
Lord
(1Co 8:6;
Eph 4:5);
a virtual reproof of the divisions of the Corinthians, as if Christ
were divided
(1Co 1:13).

3. peace--peculiarly needed in the Corinthian church, on account
of its dissensions. On this verse see on
Ro 1:7.

4. He puts the causes for praise and hope among them in the foreground,
not to discourage them by the succeeding reproof, and in order to appeal
to their better selves.
my God--
(Ro 1:8;
Php 1:3).
always--(Compare
Php 1:4).
the grace . . . given you--(Compare
1Co 1:7).
by . . . Christ--literally, "INJesus Christ" given you as members in Christ.

5. utterance--ALFORD from MENOCHIUS translates, "doctrine." Ye are rich in
preachers or the preaching of the word, and rich in
knowledge or apprehension of it: literally "(the)
word (preached)." English Version (as in
2Co 8:7)
is better: for Paul, purposing presently to dwell on the abuse
of the two gifts on which the Corinthians most prided themselves,
utterance (speech) and knowledge
(1Co 1:20; 3:18; 4:19;
1Co 13:1-14:40),
previously gains their goodwill by congratulating them on having
those gifts.

6. According as the testimony of (of, and concerning) Christ
(who is both the object and author of this testimony
[BENGEL];
1Co 2:1;
1Ti 2:6;
2Ti 1:8)
was confirmed among [ALFORD] you; that is,
by God, through my preaching and through the miracles accompanying it
(1Co 12:3;
Mr 16:20;
2Co 1:21, 22;
Ga 3:2, 5;
Eph 4:7, 8;
Heb 2:4).
God confirmed (compare
Php 1:7;
Heb 2:3),
or gave effect to the Gospel among (or better as English
Version, "in") the Corinthians by their accepting it and
setting their seal to its truth, through the inward power of His
Spirit, and the outward gifts and miracles accompanying it [CALVIN].

7. ye come behind--are inferior to other Christians elsewhere
[GROTIUS].
in no gift--not that all had all gifts, but different persons among
them had different gifts
(1Co 12:4,
&c.).
waiting for . . . coming of . . . Christ--The crowning proof of
their "coming behind in no gift." Faith, hope, and love, are all
exercised herein (compare
2Ti 4:8;
Tit 2:13).
"Leaving to others their MEMENTO MORI (remember
death), do thou earnestly cherish this joyous expectation of the Lord's
coming" [BENGEL]. The Greek verb implies,
"to expect constantly, not only for a certain time, but even to the end
till the expected event happens"
(Ro 8:19,
[TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New
Testament]).

8. Who--God,
1Co 1:4
(not Jesus Christ,
1Co 1:7,
in which case it would be "in His day").
unto the end--namely, "the coming of Christ."
blameless in the day of . . . Christ--
(1Th 5:23).
After that day there is no danger
(Eph 4:30;
Php 1:6).
Now is our day to work, and the day of our enemies to try us: then will
be the day of Christ, and of His glory in the saints [BENGEL].

9. faithful--to His promises
(Php 1:6;
1Th 5:24).
called--according to His purpose
(Ro 8:28).
unto . . . fellowship of . . . Jesus--to be fellow heirs with Christ
(Ro 8:17-28),
like Him sons of God and heirs of glory
(Ro 8:30;
2Th 2:14;
1Pe 5:10;
1Jo 1:3).
CHRYSOSTOM remarks that the name of Christ is
oftener mentioned in this than in any other Epistle, the apostle
designing thereby to draw them away from their party admiration of
particular teachers to Christ alone.

10. Now--Ye already have knowledge, utterance, and hope, maintain also love.brethren--The very title is an argument for love.by . . . Christ--whom Paul wishes to be all in all to the Corinthians,
and therefore names Him so often in this chapter.
speak . . . same thing--not speaking different things
as ye do
(1Co 1:12),
in a spirit of variance.
divisions--literally, "splits," "breaches."
but--"but rather."
perfectly joined together--the opposite word to "divisions." It is
applied to healing a wound, or making whole a rent.mind . . . judgment--the view taken by the understanding, and the
practical decision arrived at [CONYBEARE and
HOWSON], as to what is
to be done. The mind, within, refers to things to be believed: the
judgment is displayed outwardly in things to be done
[BENGEL].
Disposition--opinion [ALFORD].

11.
(1Co 11:18).
by them . . . of . . . house of Chloe--They
seem to have been alike in the confidence of Paul and of the
Corinthians. The Corinthians "wrote" to the apostle
(1Co 7:1),
consulting him concerning certain points; marriage, the eating of
things offered to idols, the decorum to be observed by women in
religious assemblies. But they said not a syllable about the enormities
and disorders that had crept in among them. That information
reached Paul by other quarters. Hence his language about those evils
is, "It hath been declared unto me," &c.; "It is reported commonly"
(1Co 5:1, 2).
All this he says before he refers to their letter, which
shows that the latter did not give him any intimation of those evils.
An undesigned proof of genuineness [PALEY,
Horæ Paulinæ]. Observe his prudence: He names the
family, to let it be seen that he made his allegation not without
authority: he does not name the individuals, not to excite odium
against them. He tacitly implies that the information ought rather to
have come to him directly from their presbyters, as they had consulted
him about matters of less moment.
contentions--not so severe a word as "divisions," literally, "schisms"
(1Co 1:10,
Margin).

12. this I say--this is what I mean in saying "contentions"
(1Co 1:11).
every one of you saith--Ye say severally, "glorying in men"
(1Co 1:31;
1Co 3:21, 22),
one, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos, &c. Not that they formed
definite parties, but they individually betrayed the
spirit of party in contentions under the name of different
favorite teachers. Paul will not allow himself to be flattered even by
those who made his name their party cry, so as to connive at the
dishonor thereby done to Christ. These probably were converted under
his ministry. Those alleging the name of Apollos, Paul's successor at
Corinth
(Ac 18:24,
&c.), were persons attracted by his rhetorical style (probably acquired
in Alexandria,
1Co 3:6),
as contrasted with the "weak bodily presence" and "contemptible speech"
of the apostle. Apollos, doubtless, did not willingly foster this
spirit of undue preference
(1Co 4:6, 8);
nay, to discourage it, he would not repeat his visit just then
(1Co 16:12).
I of Cephas--probably Judaizers, who sheltered themselves under the
name of Peter, the apostle of the circumcision ("Cephas" is the Hebrew, "Peter" the Greek name;
Joh 1:42;
Ga 2:11,
&c.): the subjects handled in the seventh through ninth chapters were
probably suggested as matters of doubt by them. The church there began
from the Jewish synagogue, Crispus the chief ruler, and Sosthenes his
successor (probably), being converts. Hence some Jewish leaven, though
not so much as elsewhere, is traceable
(2Co 11:22).
Petrism afterwards sprang up much more rankly at Rome. If it be
wrong to boast "I am of Peter," how much more so to boast I am of the
Pope!" [BENGEL].
I of Christ--A fair pretext used to slight the ministry of Paul and
their other teachers
(1Co 4:8;
2Co 10:7-11).

13. Is Christ divided?--into various parts (one under one leader,
another under another) [ALFORD]. The unity of His body is not to be cut
in pieces, as if all did not belong to Him, the One Head.
was Paul crucified for you?--In the Greek the interrogation
implies that a strong negative answer is expected: "Was it Paul
(surely you will not say so) that was crucified for you?" In the
former question the majesty of "CHRIST" (the Anointed One of God)
implies the impossibility of His being "divided." in the latter,
Paul's insignificance implies the impossibility of his being the
head of redemption, "crucified for" them, and giving his name to the
redeemed. This, which is true of Paul the founder of the Church of
Corinth, holds equally good of Cephas and Apollos, who had not such a
claim as Paul in the Corinthian Church.
crucified . . . baptized--The cross claims us for Christ, as redeemed
by Him; baptism, as dedicated to Him.
in the name--rather, "into the name"
(Ga 3:27),
implying the incorporation involved in the idea of baptism.

14. I thank God's providence now, who so ordered it that I baptized
none of you but Crispus (the former ruler of the synagogue,
Ac 18:8)
and Gaius (written by the Romans Caius, the host of Paul at
Corinth, and of the church,
Ro 16:23;
a person therefore in good circumstances). Baptizing was the office of
the deacons
(Ac 10:48)
rather than of the apostles, whose office was that of establishing and
superintending generally the churches. The deacons had a better
opportunity of giving the necessary course of instruction
preparatory to baptism. Crispus and Gaius were probably among the
first converts, and hence were baptized by Paul himself, who founded
the church.

15. Lest--not that Paul had this reason at the time, but God so
arranged it that none might say [ALFORD].

16. household of Stephanas--"The first-fruits of Achaia," that is,
among the first converted there
(1Co 16:15, 17).
It is likely that such "households" included infants
(Ac 16:33).
The history of the Church favors this view, as infant baptism was the
usage from the earliest ages.

17. Paul says this not to depreciate baptism; for he exalts it most
highly
(Ro 6:3).
He baptized some first converts; and would have baptized more, but that
his and the apostles' peculiar work was to preach the Gospel, to found
by their autoptic testimony particular churches, and then to
superintend the churches in general.
sent me--literally, "as an apostle."
not to baptize--even in Christ's name, much less in my own.
not with wisdom of words--or speech; philosophical reasoning set
off with oratorical language and secular learning, which the
Corinthians set so undue a value upon
(1Co 1:5; 2:1, 4)
in Apollos, and the want of which in Paul they were dissatisfied with
(2Co 10:10).
cross of Christ--the sum and substance of the Gospel
(1Co 1:23; 2:2),
Christ crucified.
be made of none effect--literally, "be made void"
(Ro 4:14);
namely, by men thinking more of the human reasonings and eloquence in
which the Gospel was set forth, than of the Gospel itself of Christ
crucified, the sinner's only remedy, and God's highest exhibition of
love.

18. preaching, &c.--literally, "the word," or speech as to the cross;
in contrast to the "wisdom of words" (so called),
1Co 1:17.
them that perish--rather, "them that are perishing," namely, by
preferring human "wisdom of words" to the doctrine of the "cross of
Christ." It is not the final state that is referred to; but, "them that
are in the way of perishing." So also in
2Co 2:15, 16.
us which are saved--In the Greek the collocation is more modest,
"to them that are being saved (that are in the way of salvation) as,"
that is, to which class we belong.
power of God--which includes in it that it is the wisdom of God"
(1Co 1:24).
God's powerful instrument of salvation; the highest exhibition of God's
power
(Ro 1:16).
What seems to the world "weakness" in God's plan of salvation
(1Co 1:25),
and in its mode of delivery by His apostle
(1Co 2:3)
is really His mighty "power." What seems "foolishness" because wanting
man's "wisdom of words"
(1Co 1:17),
is really the highest "wisdom of God"
(1Co 1:24).

19. I will destroy--slightly altered from the Septuagint,Isa 29:14.
The Hebrew is, "The wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Paul by inspiration
gives the sense of the Spirit, by making GOD the
cause of their wisdom perishing, &c., "I will destroy," &c.
understanding of the prudent--literally, "of the understanding ones."

20. Where--nowhere; for God "brings them to naught"
(1Co 1:19).
the wise--generally.
the scribe--Jewish [ALFORD].
the disputer--Greek [ALFORD]. Compare the
Jew and Greek of this world contrasted with the godly wise,
1Co 1:22, 23.
VITRINGA thinks the reference is to the Jewish
discourses in the synagogue, daraschoth, from a Hebrew
root "to dispute." Compare "questions,"
Ac 26:3;
Tit 3:9.
If so, "wise" refers to Greek wisdom (compare
1Co 1:22).
Paul applies
Isa 33:18
here in a higher sense; there the primary reference was to temporal
deliverance, here to external;
1Co 1:22,
which is in threefold opposition to
1Co 1:18
there, sanctions this higher application; the Lord in the threefold
character being the sole ground of glorying to His people.
of this world . . . of this world--rather, "dispensation (or
age) . . . world"; the Greek words are distinct. The former is
here this age or worldly order of things in a moral point of
view, as opposed to the Christian dispensation or order of things. The
latter is the world viewed externally and cosmically.
made foolish--shown the world's philosophy to be folly, because
it lacks faith in Christ crucified [CHRYSOSTOM].
Has treated it as folly, and not used its help in converting and saving
men
(1Co 1:26, 27)
[ESTIUS].

21. after that--rather, "whereas."
in the wisdom of God--in the wise arrangement of God.
world by wisdom--rather, "by its wisdom," or "its
philosophy"
(Joh 1:10;
Ro 1:28).
knew not God--whatever other knowledge it attained
(Ac 17:23, 27).
The deistic theory that man can by the light of nature discover his
duty to God, is disproved by the fact that man has never
discovered it without revelation. All the stars and moon cannot make it
day; that is the prerogative of the sun. Nor can nature's highest gifts
make the moral day arise; that is the office of Christ. Even the Jew
missed this knowledge, in so far as he followed after mere carnal
world wisdom.
it pleased God--Paul refers to Jesus' words
(Lu 10:21).
by the foolishness of preaching--by that preaching which the world
(unbelieving Jews and Gentiles alike) deem foolishness.save them that believe--
(Ro 1:16).

22. For--literally, "Since," seeing that. This verse illustrates how
the "preaching" of Christ crucified came to be deemed "foolishness"
(1Co 1:21).
a sign--The oldest manuscripts read "signs." The singular was a
later correction from
Mt 12:38; 16:1;
Joh 2:18.
The signs the Jews craved for were not mere miracles, but direct tokens
from heaven that Jesus was Messiah
(Lu 11:16).
Greeks seek . . . wisdom--namely, a philosophic demonstration of
Christianity. Whereas Christ, instead of demonstrative proof,
demands faith on the ground of His word, and of a reasonable
amount of evidence that the alleged revelation is His word. Christianity
begins not with solving intellectual difficulties, but with satisfying
the heart that longs for forgiveness. Hence not the refined Greeks, but
the theocratic Jews were the chosen organ for propagating revelation.
Again, intellectual Athens
(Ac 17:18-21,
&c.) received the Gospel less readily than commercial Corinth.

23. we--Paul and Apollos.
Christ crucified--The Greek expresses not the mere fact
of His crucifixion, but the permanent character acquired by the
transaction, whereby He is now a Saviour
(Ga 3:1)
crucified was the stone on which the Jews stumbled
(Mt 21:44).
The opposition of Jew and Gentile alike shows that a religion so
seemingly contemptible in its origin could not have succeeded if it had
not been divine.
unto the Greeks--the oldest manuscripts read "unto the
Gentiles."

24. called--(compare
1Co 1:26).
The same class as the "us which are (being) saved"
(1Co 1:18);
the elect, who have obeyed the call; called effectually
(Ro 8:28, 30).
Christ--"Crucified" is not here added, because when the offense of the
cross is overcome, "Christ" is received in all His relations, not only
in His cross, but in His life and His future kingdom.
power--so meeting all the reasonable requirements of the Jews who
sought "a sign." The cross (the death of a slave), which to the Jews
(looking for a temporal Messiah) was a "stumbling-block," is really "the
power of God" to the salvation of all who believe.
wisdom of God--so really exhibiting, and in the highest degree (if
they would but see it), that which the Greeks sought after--wisdom
(Col 2:3).

25. foolishness of God--that is, God's plan of salvation which men deem
"foolishness."
weakness of God--Christ "crucified through weakness"
(2Co 13:4,
the great stumbling-block of the Jews), yet "living by the
power of God." So He perfects strength out of the
weakness of His servants
(1Co 2:3;
2Co 12:9).

26. ye see--rather, from the prominence of the verb in the
Greek, "see" or "consider" (imperative) [ALFORD from
Vulgate and IRENÆUS].
your calling . . . are called--Instead of the words in italics,
supplied by English Version, supply, "were your callers." What Paul
is dwelling on (compare
1Co 1:27, 28)
is the weakness of the instrumentality which the Lord employed to
convert the world [HINDS and WHATELY; so ANSELM]. However,
English Version accords well with
1Co 1:24.
"The whole history of the expansion of the Church is a progressive
victory of the ignorant over the learned, the lowly over the lofty,
until the emperor himself laid down his crown before the cross of
Christ" [OLSHAUSEN].
wise . . . after the flesh--the wisdom of this world
acquired by human study without the Spirit. (Contrast
Mt 16:17).

27. the foolish things--a general phrase for
all persons and things foolish. Even things (and those, too,
foolish things) are chosen by God to confound persons,
(and those too persons who are wise). This seems to me the force of the
change from neuter to masculine.
to confound--The Greek is stronger, "that He might confound
(or put to shame)." God confounds the wise by effecting through His
instruments, without human wisdom, that the worldly wise, with it,
cannot effect, namely, to bring men to salvation.
chosen . . . chosen--The repetition indicates the gracious
deliberateness of God's purpose
(Jas 2:5).

28. yea, and things which are not--Yea is not in the
Greek. Also some of the oldest manuscripts omit "and." Thus the clause, "things
which are not" (are regarded as naught), is in apposition with
"foolish . . . weak . . . base (that is, lowborn) and despised things."
God has chosen all four, though regarded as things that are not, to
bring to naught things that are.

29. no flesh . . . glory--For they who try to glory
(boast) because of human greatness and wisdom, are "confounded" or
put to shame
(1Co 1:27).
Flesh, like "the flower of the field," is beautiful, but frail
(Isa 40:6).
in his presence--We are to glory not before Him, but in Him
[BENGEL].

30. But . . . ye--in contrast to them that "glory" in worldly wisdom
and greatness.
of him are--not of yourselves
(Eph 2:8),
but of Him
(Ro 11:36).
From Him ye are (that is, have spiritual life, who once were
spiritually among the "things which are not."
1Co 1:28).
in Christ--by living union with Him. Not "in the flesh"
(1Co 1:26, 29).
of God--from God; emanating from Him and sent by Him.
is made unto us--has been made to us, to our eternal gain.
wisdom--unattainable by the worldly mode of seeking it
(1Co 1:19, 20;
contrast
Col 2:3;
Pr 8:1-36;
Isa 9:6).
By it we become "wise unto salvation," owing to His wisdom in
originating and executing the plan, whereas once we were "fools."
righteousness--the ground of our justification
(Jer 23:5, 6;
Ro 4:25;
2Co 5:21);
whereas once we were "weak"
(Ro 5:6).
Isa 42:21; 45:24.
sanctification--by His Spirit; whereas formerly we were "base."
Hereafter our righteousness and sanctification alike shall be both
perfect and inherent. Now the righteousness wherewith we are justified
is perfect, but not inherent; that wherewith we are sanctified is
inherent, but not perfect [HOOKER].
Now sanctification is perfect in
principle, but not in attainment. These two are joined in the Greek
as forming essentially but one thing, as distinguished from the
"wisdom" in devising and executing the plan for us ("abounded toward
us in all wisdom,"
Eph 1:8),
and "redemption," the final completion of the scheme in the
deliverance of the body (the position of "redemption" last shows that
this limited sense is the one intended here).
Lu 21:28;
Ro 8:23;
Eph 1:14; 4:30.
redemption--whereas once we were "despised."

31. glory in . . . Lord--
(Jer 9:23, 24)
--in opposition to "flesh glorying in His presence"
(1Co 1:29).
In contrast to morbid slavish self-abasement, Paul joins with humility
the elevating consciousness of our true dignity in Christ. He who
glories is to glory in the Lord, not in the flesh, nor in the
world.

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